Device and method for assisting input operations

ABSTRACT

Collectively predicting input operations for plural operation object items (subwindows) belonging to a same window. A proposal window PG stores in a statistics information database and manages information about the input entity and an operation object of an input operation accepted from a user, and a window to which the operation object belongs, along with transition information indicating the transition of active windows concerned in previous input operations. When an active window transitions because of an input operation accepted from the user, it searches the statistics information database for information that contains information about a new active window and is associated with transition information matching the transition of active windows concerned in previous input operations.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application claims priority from Japanese application JP2005-245740 filed on Aug. 26, 2005, the content of which is herebyincorporated by reference into this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a technique for assisting inputoperations of a computer, particularly a computer in which a multiwindowsystem is installed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A device for assisting operations on a computer is disclosed in JapaneseUnexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 10(1998)-27089. In the device, anoperation record storage part identifies the types of applicationsoperated by an operator, and the types of operated operation objects,and stores them in a time series as operation record information alongwith operation commands. An operation record search part searchesoperation records for a location in which the same operations as anoperation command string of the most recent operation procedure isperforming are performed. An operation procedure analyzing partinvestigates an application in the operation records, the types ofoperation objects in the searched operation records, and the transitionof the operation objects and the like in the searched operation records,and extracts an operation procedure considered to match the purpose ofthe most recent operation from the search results. A next operationpredicting part predicts a next operation command from the extractedoperation procedure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The technique described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.Hei 10(1998)-27089 extracts an operation procedure matching the mostrecent operation procedure from previous operation records, and predictsa next operation command from the extracted operation procedure. Thus,with the technique described in Japanese Unexamined Patent PublicationNo. Hei 10(1998)-27089, the scope of a predicted input operation islimited to a next operation command, that is, one input operation. Thetechnique described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei10(1998)-27089 does not take a collective prediction of plural inputoperations into account.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,and its object is to enable a collective prediction of plural inputoperations.

To address the above-described problem, the present invention assistsinput operations of a computer in which a multiwindow system isinstalled. The present invention stores in a storage device and managesthe input entity and an operation object of an input operation acceptsfrom a user, and information about a window (an active window when theinput operation is accepted) to which the operation object belongs,along with transition information indicating the transition of activewindows concerned in previous input operations. When an active windowtransitions because of an input operation accepted from the user, itsearches the storage device for information that contains informationabout a new active window and is associated with transition informationmatching the transition of active windows concerned in previous inputoperations. The searched information is classified by operation objectscontained in the information. For each of the operation objects, atleast one of input entities contained in the information classified intothe operation object is outputted as a prediction value of a next inputoperation.

The present invention, which is a device for assisting input operationsfor a multiwindow system, includes a collecting section for collectingrecord information containing information about the input entity and anoperation object of an input operation which the multiwindow systemaccepts from a user, and a window to which the operation object belongs;a storing section for storing statistics information of the recordinformation collected by the collecting section along with transitioninformation indicating the transition of active windows before the inputoperation corresponding to the record information; and a predictingsection, when an active window transitions because of an input operationthat the multiwindow system accepts from a user, for searching thestoring section for statistics information that contains informationabout a new active window and is associated with transition informationmatching the transition of active windows before the input operation,classifying the searched statistics information by operation objectscontained in the statistics information, and for each of the operationobjects, outputting at least one of input entities contained instatistics information classified into that operation object as aprediction value of a next input operation for the operation object.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, for each ofoperation objects belonging to a same window, next input entities can bepredicted collectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a software block diagram of a computer 1 with functions forassisting input operations to which one embodiment of the presentinvention is applied;

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing an example of the hardware configuration ofthe computer 1 with functions for assisting input operations shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining a multiwindow system;

FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining the hierarchy of some windowsdisplayed by the OS 11;

FIG. 5 is a drawing schematically showing the registration contents of ahierarchy definition TL 16;

FIG. 6 is a drawing schematically showing the registration contents ofthe record information database 17;

FIG. 7 is a drawing schematically showing the registration contents of astatistics information database 18;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a hooking PG 12;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a statisticsinformation generation PG 13;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a proposal windowPG 14;

FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B, and FIG. 11C are drawings for explaining windowsallocated to one of the APs 15 ₁ to 15 _(n) by the OS 11;

FIG. 12 shows a case where an item “employee portal” is selected from amain menu, and a real window 60 for displaying an employee portal isswitched to an active window;

FIG. 13 shows a case where, in the screen example shown in FIG. 12, anID and PW are directly or indirectly inputted to the ID input sub-window511 and the PW input sub-window 512 of the employee portal window beingdisplayed in the application window 60, and the ID and PW are passed tothe APs 15 ₁ to 15 _(n) to which the application window 60 is allocated;

FIG. 14 shows a case where, in the screen example shown in FIG. 13, theselection button 513 corresponding to an item “task menu” of an employeeportal window being displayed in the application window 60 is directlyor indirectly selected, and the fact is notified to the APs 15 ₁ to 15_(n) to which the application window 60 is allocated; and

FIG. 15 shows a case where, in the screen example shown in FIG. 14, theselection button 514 corresponding to an item “business trips” of a taskmenu window being displayed in the application window 60 is directly orindirectly selected, and the fact is notified to the APs 15 ₁ to 15 _(n)to which the application window 60 is allocated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a software block diagram of a computer 1 with functions forassisting input operations to which one embodiment of the presentinvention is applied. As shown in the diagram, the computer 1 withfunctions for assisting input operations includes an OS 11, a hooking PG(program) 12, a statistics information generation PG 13, a proposalwindow PG 14, different application PGs (AP) 15 ₁ to 15 _(n), ahierarchy definition TL (table) 16, a record information database 17,and a statistics information database 18.

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing an example of the hardware configuration ofthe computer 1 with functions for assisting input operations shown inFIG. 1. As shown in the drawing, the computer 1 with functions forassisting input operations is a general computer that includes a CPU 21,memory 22, an auxiliary storage 23 such as a HDD, a reading device 24that reads data from storage media 27 such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, andan IC card, an interface 25 for connecting to a display 28 and an inputdevice 29 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a bus 26 for connectingthese devices. The OS 11, the hooking PG 12, the statistics informationgeneration PG 13, and the proposal window PG 14, and the differentapplication PGs (AP) 15 ₁ to 15 _(n) are loaded onto the memory 22 bythe CPU 21 and executed. These programs are installed from the storagemedium 27 to the auxiliary storage 23 via the reading device 24, andthen loaded onto the memory 22. Although a program is a principal ofoperation for the sake of simplicity in the descriptions below,actually, the CPU 21 that executes the program is a principal ofoperation.

FIG. 1 is referred to back to continue the description. The OS 11 hasfunctions as a multiwindow system. The multiwindow system is a system inwhich plural display windows called windows are displayed at the sametime on a screen, and different applications, and modules or theirsubsets constituting the applications are allocated to the differentwindows so that the applications, and modules or their subsetsconstituting the applications can perform display on the windowsallocated to them. Typical multiwindow systems are Windows(R) 2000 beingan OS of Microsoft Corporation, and Mac OS being an OS of Apple ComputerInc.

FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining a multiwindow system. As shown in thedrawing, in the multiwindow system, plural windows 32 and 33 aredisplayed on a screen 31 at the same time. A different application,a-module constituting the application, or its subset is allocated toeach of the windows 32 and 33, and display is performed by the allocatedapplication, a module constituting the application, or its subset. Auser switches to an active window by selecting the window by moving amouse cursor 34 using a pointing device such as a mouse. Key input bythe keyboard and click operations by the mouse are effective for anactive window 33, and ineffective for inactive windows 32. The windows32 and 33 include a sub-window 35 for displaying a keyed characterstring, and select buttons 36 by which selection is made by single- ordouble-clicking by the mouse cursor 34 in an active state. In FIG. 3,the reference numeral 37 denotes a key cursor indicating that thesub-window 35 allows key input.

In this embodiment, windows displayed by the OS 11 can be hierarchicallymanaged. FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining the hierarchy of somewindows displayed by the OS 11. In the drawing, “main menu”, which isthe first window displayed on the screen first when the OS 11 isactivated, is classified as the first hierarchy 41. “Employee portal”,which is a window displayed on the screen by single- or double-clickingon an item “employee portal” displayed in the “main menu”, is classifiedas the second hierarchy 42. “Notice”, “task menu”, “announcement”, and“welfare”, which are windows displayed on the screen by single- ordouble-clicking on items “notice”, “task menu”, and “announcement”, and“welfare” respectively displayed in the “employee portal”, areclassified as the third hierarchy 43. “Business trips”, “visitor”,“publication”, “labor affairs”, “dispatch”, “purchase”, “training”,“budget”, “allowance”, and “annual adjustment”, which are windowsdisplayed on the screen by single- or double-clicking on items “businesstrips”, “visitor”, “publication”, “labor affairs”, “dispatch”,“purchase”, “training”, “budge”, “allowance”, and “annual adjustment”respectively displayed in “task menu”, are classified as the fourthhierarchy.

The APs 15 ₁ to 15 _(n) run on the OS 11 and display information onwindows allocated to the APs 15 ₁ to 15 _(n) by the OS 11. They receivea command from the user via the windows and perform processing accordingto the command. This embodiment assumes that one of the APs 15 ₁ to 15_(n) is a business operation support application that supports businessoperation procedures of employees.

A hierarchy definition TL 16 registers definition information abouthierarchies to which windows displayed by the OS 11 belongs. FIG. 5 is adrawing schematically showing the registration contents of the hierarchydefinition TL 16. As shown in the drawing, in the hierarchy definitionTL 16, a record 1600 is registered for each of the windows orsub-windows. The record 1600 has a field 1601 that registersidentification information on a window or a sub-window, a field 1602that, when the identification information registered in the field 1601is a sub-window, registers identification information on a window towhich the sub-window belongs, and a field 1603 that, when theidentification information registered in the field 1601 is a window,registers information on a hierarchy to which the window belongs, whilewhen a sub-window, information on a hierarchy to which a windowidentified by the identification information registered in the field1602 belongs.

In the record information database 17, record information on user'sinput operations. on the computer 1 with functions for assisting inputoperations is registered. FIG. 6 is a drawing schematically showing theregistration contents of the record information database 17. As shown inthe drawing, in the record information database 17, a record 1700 isregistered for each of user's input operations on the computer 1 withfunctions for assisting input operations. The record 1700 has a field1701 for registering a record ID being identification information of therecord, and at least one subrecord 1702. The subrecord 1702 is providedfor each of unit operations.

The unit operation refers to an operation obtained by splitting user'sinput operations on the computer 1 with functions for assisting inputoperations into the smallest unit. Examples of the unit operation are aclick operation and a drag operation by the mouse, and a key operationon one key of the keyboard.

The input operation refers to a meaningful operation consisting of atleast one unit operation (as a command for the computer 1 with functionsfor assisting input operations). For example, when a unit operation is aclick operation or a pulldown selection operation, the operation aloneis a meaningful operation (selection of a clicked item, or selection ofan item from a pulldown menu). Accordingly, when a unit operation is aclick operation or a pulldown selection operation, the number ofsubrecords 1702 is one (see records 1700 of record IDs 00001, and 00004to 00006). On the other hand, when a unit operation is a key operationon one key of the keyboard, the operation alone is not a meaningfuloperation. When a character string inputted by key operations on pluralkeys is converted into kanji characters by operating a conversion key,then an enter key is operated, these operations form a meaningfuloperation (input of a word or sentence). Accordingly, when a unitoperation is a key operation on one key of the keyboard, the number ofsubrecords 1702 is plural (see records 1700 of record IDs 00008 and00011).

The subrecord 1702 has a field 1703 for registering identificationinformation of an input window being a window or sub-window on which aunit operation has been performed, a field 1704 for registering theinput entity of the unit operation, a field 1705 for registering thehierarchy of a window on which the unit operation has been performed ora window to which a sub-window on which the unit operation has beenperformed belongs, and a field 1706 for registering an input data of theunit operation.

In the statistics information database 18, statistics information ofrecord information registered in the record information database 7 isregistered. FIG. 7 is a drawing schematically showing the registrationcontents of the statistics information database 18. As shown in thedrawing, in the statistics information database 18, a record 1800 isregistered in combination of transition information, input window, andinput information. The input information refers to the information of aninput entity indicated by an input operation. The transition informationis information indicating the transition of active windows (limited towindows allocated to the APs 15 ₁ to 15 _(n)) until an input operationindicated by input information corresponding to the transitioninformation has been performed.

The record 1800 has a field 1801 for registering a statistics ID beingrecord identification information, a field 1802 for registeringtransition information, a field 1803 for registering identificationinformation of an input window being a window or sub-window on which aninput operation was performed, a field 1804 for registering inputinformation, and a field 1805 for registering a statistics value.Transition information registered in the field 1802 is information aboutthe transition of a predetermined number of active windows (three inFIG. 7). As a statistics value registered in the field 1805, astatistics value of record information having a combination oftransition information, input window, and input information that areshown in the fields 1802 to 1804 is registered. Statistics values arethe total number of previous occurrences of the record information, afrequency indicating the number of occurrence of the record informationin a predetermined unit period, and a cycle indicating an occurrenceinterval of the record information.

The hooking PG 12 hooks user's input operations (input window, inputentity, input hierarchy, and input date) notified to the APs 15 ₁ to 15_(n) from the OS 11, and registers the contents in the recordinformation database 17.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the hooking PG 12.

The hooking PG 12 monitors a unit operation notified to the APs 15 ₁ to15 _(n) from the OS 11 (S101). On detecting the notification of a unitoperation to the APs 15 ₁ to 15 _(n) from the OS 11 (YES in S101), thehooking PG 12 adds a new record 1700 to the record information database17 and registers a unique record ID to the field 1701 of the record 1700(S102).

The hooking PG 12 adds a subrecord 1702 to the record 1700, registers aninput window of the detected unit operation in the field 1703 of thesubrecord 1702, registers the input entity of the detected unitoperation in the field 1704, registers the hierarchy of an input windowof the detected unit operation in the field 1705, and registers thedetection date of the detected unit operation in the field 1706 (S103).The hierarchy of an, input window is a hierarchy registered in the field1604 of a record 1600 of which the input window is registered in thefield 1601, in the hierarchy definition TL 16.

The hooking PG 12 checks whether the detected unit operation is a keyoperation of the enter key, a click operation on the mouse, or apulldown operation (S104). In the case of a unit operation such as a keyinput operation of the enter key, a click operation on the mouse, or apulldown operation, that unit operation is the last unit operation toconstitute input operations. Accordingly, in this case (YES in S104),notification of input operations consisting of one unit operation fromthe OS 11 to the APs 15 ₁ to 15 _(n) is completed. In this case, thehooking PG 12 returns to S101 to monitor notification of a unitoperation constituting new input operations from the OS 11 to the APs 15₁ to 15 _(n). On the other hand, when the detected unit operation isother than a key input operation of the enter key, a click operation onthe mouse, or a pulldown operation (NO in S104), it means thatnotification of the input operations from the OS 11 to the APs 15 ₁ to15 _(n) is not completed. In this case, the hooking PG 12 furthermonitors a unit operation notified to the APs 15 ₁ to 15 _(n) from theOS 11 (S105). On detecting the notification of a unit operation to theAPs 15 ₁ to 15 _(n) from the OS 11 (YES in S105), the hooking PG 12returns to S103 to create a subrecord 1702 and add it to the record1700.

FIG. 1 is referred to back to continue the description. The statisticsinformation generation PG 13 updates the statistics information database18 on the basis of record information registered in the recordinformation database 17.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the statisticsinformation generation PG 13.

The statistics information generation PG 13 monitors active windows ofthe multiwindow system offered from the OS 11 (S201). When an activewindow switches from an existing window to another window (a windowallocated to the APs 15 ₁ to 15 _(n)) (YES in S201), it updatestransition information owned by it (S202). The statistics informationgeneration PG 13 holds a predetermined number of active windows from thepast to the present (limited to windows allocated to the APs 15 ₁ to 15_(n))

The statistics information generation PG 13 monitors the recordinformation database 17 (S203). If a new record 1700 is added to therecord information database 17 (YES in S203), it checks whether a record1800 having transition information owned by it, an input window of aseries of subrecords 1702 contained in the record 1700, and inputinformation identified by the input entities of the series of subrecords1702 that are respectively registered in fields 1802 to 1804 isregistered in the statistics information database 18 (S204). If it isregistered (YES in S204), the statistics information generation PG 13updates a statistics value registered in the field 1805 of the record1800 (S205). For example, when the type of the statistics value is atotal number, it increments the value of the statistics value by one.When the type of the statistics value is frequency, it calculates thenumber of records 1700 having a series of subrecords 1702 matching inputinformation of the record 1800, generated from a predetermined previousunit period to the present, on the basis of input date (field 1706) ofthe records 1700 registered in the record information database 17. Thecalculating result is registered as a statistics value. When the type ofthe statistics value is a cycle, it calculates the occurrence intervalof records 1700 having a series of subrecords 1702 matching inputinformation of the record 1800, on the basis of input date (field 1706)of the records 1700 registered in the record information database 17.The calculating result is registered as a statistics value.

On the other hand, in S204, when a record 1800 having transitioninformation owned by the statistics information generation PG 13, aninput window of a series of subrecords 1702 contained in the record 1700newly added to the record information database 17, and input informationidentified by the input entities of the series of subrecords 1702 thatare respectively registered in fields 1802 to 1804 is not registered inthe statistics information database 18, the statistics informationgeneration PG 13 newly creates the record 1800 and adds it to thestatistics information database 18 (S206) A statistics value of thefield 1805 of the record 1800 is 1 when the type of the statistics valueis a total number or frequency, and null when cycle.

FIG. 1 is referred to back to continue the description. The proposalwindow PG 14 uses the record information database 17 and the statisticsinformation database 18 to support input operations on an active windowbeing displayed.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the proposalwindow PG 14.

The OS 11 allocates two windows to the proposal window PG 14 by themultiwindow system. The proposal window PG 14 uses one of the twowindows allocated by the OS 11 as a record window, and displaystransition information held by it on the record window (S301). Theproposal window PG 14 holds transition information of a predeterminednumber of active windows (limited to windows allocated to the APs 15 ₁to 15 _(n)) from the past to the present.

The proposal window PG 14 monitors an active window of the multiwindowsystem offered from the OS 11 (S302). When an active window switchesfrom an existing window to another window (a window allocated to the APs15 ₁ to 15 _(n)) (YES in S302), it updates transition information ownedby it and displays the updated transition information in the recordwindow (S303).

The proposal window PG 14, when any one of windows allocated to the APs15 ₁ to 15 _(n) is an active window, checks whether a record 1800 havinginput information with a sub-window belonging to the window as an inputwindow, and the same transition information as that held by it isregistered in the statistics information database 18 (S304).Specifically, it refers to the hierarchy definition TL 16 to search fora record 1600 having information about the window that is registered infield 1602. When such a record 1600 exists, the identificationinformation of a sub-window registered in the field 1601 of the record1600 is registered in field 1803 as an input window, and it checkswhether a record 1800 having transition information held by it that isregistered in field 1802 is registered in the statistics informationdatabase 18.

When such a record 1800 is registered in the statistics informationdatabase 18 (YES in S304), for each of sub-windows belonging to theactive window, it extracts records 1800 having input information with asub-window belonging to the window as an input window, and the sametransition information as that held by it from the statisticsinformation database 18 (S305). For each of sub-windows, it displaysinput information registered in field 1804 of the extracted records 1800on the proposal window in the order of priority determined according toa statistics value registered in field 1805 of the records 1800 (S306),and then proceeds to S307. The order of priority is determined so that,when the type of the statistics value is a total number or frequency,the order of priority is higher if the statistics value is greater, andwhen the type of the statistics value is cycle, the order of priority ishigher if the statistics value is smaller.

In S307, when the proposal window PG 14 receives an OK command of therecord window from the user via the OS 11 (YES in S307), from inputinformation displayed in the record window in units of sub-windows, itdetermines input information selected by the user for each of thesub-windows. Next, for each of the sub-windows it generates a record1700 of input operations corresponding to the selected input informationand registers it in the record information database 17. Then, itregisters a unique record ID in field 1701 of the registered record1700, and includes subrecords 1702 of unit operations constituting theinput operations in the record 1700. Moreover, it records a sub-windowin field 1703 of each subrecord 1702, the input entity of a unitoperation in field 1704, the hierarchy of an active window defined inthe hierarchy definition TL 16 in field 1705, and current date in field1706 (S308), and then proceeds to S309. On the other hand, in S307, whenthe proposal window PG 14 receives an NG command of the record windowfrom the user via the OS 11 (NO in S307), it immediately proceeds toS309.

In S309, the proposal window PG 14, when any one of windows allocated tothe APs 15 ₁ to 15 _(n) is an active window, checks whether a record1800 having input information with the window as an input window, andthe same transition information as that held by it is registered in thestatistics information database 18. Specifically, it refers to thehierarchy definition TL 16 to search for a record 1600 havinginformation about the window that is registered in field 1601. When sucha record 1600 exists, the identification information of a windowregistered in the field 1601 of the record 1600 is registered in field1803 as an input window, and it checks whether a record 1800 havingtransition information held by it that is registered in field 1802 isregistered in the statistics information database 18.

When such a record 1800 is registered in the statistics informationdatabase 18 (YES in S309), it extracts records 1800 having inputinformation with an active window as an input window, and the sametransition information as that held by it from the statisticsinformation database 18 (S310). It displays input information registeredin field 1804 of the extracted records 1800 on the proposal window inthe order of priority determined according to a statistics valueregistered in field 1805 of the records 1800 (S311), and then proceedsto S312. The order of priority is determined so that, when the type ofthe statistics value is a total number or frequency, the order ofpriority is higher if the statistics value is greater, and when the typeof the statistics value is cycle, the order of priority is higher if thestatistics value is smaller.

In S312, when the proposal window PG 14 receives an OK command of therecord window from the user via the OS 11 (YES in S312), it determinesinput information selected by the user from input information displayedin the record window. Next, it generates a record 1700 of recordinformation of input operations corresponding to the selected inputinformation, and registers it in the record information database 17.Then, it registers a unique record ID in field 1701 of the registeredrecord 1700, and includes subrecords 1702 of unit operationsconstituting the input operations in the record 1700. Moreover, itrecords a sub-window in field 1703 of each subrecord 1702, the inputentity of a unit operation in field 1704, the hierarchy of an activewindow defined in the hierarchy definition TL 16 in field 1705, andcurrent date in field 1706 (S313), and then proceeds to S302. On theother hand, in S312, when the proposal window PG 14 receives an NGcommand of the record window from the user via the OS 11 (NO in S312),it immediately proceeds to S302.

The following describes the operation of the proposal window PG 14 shownin FIG. 10, using a screen example.

FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B, and FIG. 11C are drawings for explaining windowsallocated to one of the APs 15 ₁ to 15 _(n) by the OS 11. A window shownin FIG. 11A is an employee portal window 51 displayed by single- ordouble-clicking an item “employee portal” displayed in a window “mainmenu” of the first hierarchy displayed in the first screen displayedwhen the OS 11 is activated. The window belongs to the second hierarchy.As shown in the drawing, the window has a sub-window 511 for inputtingan employee ID, a sub-window 512 for inputting PW, and a selectionbutton 513 for newly displaying windows of “notice”, “task menu”,“announcement”, and “welfare”.

A window shown in FIG. 11B is a task menu window 52 displayed by single-or double-clicking the item “task menu” displayed in the window“employee portal” of the second hierarchy. The window belongs to thethird hierarchy. As shown in the drawing, the window has selectionbuttons 514 for newly displaying windows of “business trips”, “visitor”,“publication”, “labor affairs”, “dispatch”, “purchase”, “training”,“budget”, “allowance”, and “annual adjustment”.

A window shown in FIG. 11C is a business trips window 53 displayed bysingle- or double-clicking the item “business trips” displayed in thewindow “task menu” of the third hierarchy. The window belongs to thefourth hierarchy. As shown in the drawing, the window has a sub-window531 for inputting (selecting) approver specification, a sub-window 532for inputting date specification, a sub-window 533 for inputting thepurpose of a business trip, a sub-window 534 for inputting the startingpoint of the business trip, and a sub-window 535 for inputting theending point of the business trip, and a sub-window 536 for registeringsettlement amounts.

To describe the operation (input operation assistance) of the proposalwindow PG 14, the following uses an example that (1) the item “employeeportal” is selected from the main menu to display the employee portalwindow 51, (2) the item “task menu” is displayed from the employeeportal window 51 to display the task menu window 52, and then (3) theitem “business trips” is selected from the task menu window 52 todisplay the business trips window 53.

FIGS. 12 to 15 show examples of windows displayed in a display screen.As shown in the drawings, the display screen has an application window60 being a window allocated to the APs 15 ₁ to 15 _(n), and a recordwindow 70 and a proposal window 80 that are allocated to the proposalwindow PG 14.

FIG. 12 shows a case where the item “employee portal” is selected fromthe main menu, and a real window 60 for displaying an employee portal isswitched to an active window. In this case, S302 and S303 of FIG. 10 areexecuted, and in the record window 70, transition information indicatingtransition from a main menu 71 of the first hierarchy to an employeeportal 72 of the second hierarchy is displayed as transitioninformation. Next, S304 to S306 in FIG. 10 are executed, and the activewindow is switched from an application window 60 to the proposal window80. At the same time, in the proposal window 80, for each of ID inputsub-window 811 and a PW input sub-window 812 that belong to the employeeportal window, input information with a sub-window concerned as an inputwindow that is associated with the same transition information astransition information being displayed in the record window 70 isdisplayed in descending order of statistics values. However, in thisembodiment, record information of input operations for the ID inputsub-window 811 and PW input sub-window 812 is not registered in therecord information database 17. Accordingly, in the proposal window 80,ID input sub-window 811 and PW input sub-window 812 for which noinformation is inputted are displayed.

In FIG. 12, when the user inputs his (her) own ID and PW to the ID inputsub-window 811 and the PW input sub-window 812 displayed in the proposalwindow 80, respectively, and selects an OK button 81 by using the mouseor the like, information about the inputted ID and PW is reflected inthe ID input sub-window 511 and the PW input sub-window 512 of theemployee portal window being displayed in the application program window60. At the same time, the active window switches from the proposalwindow 80 to the application program window 60. Thereby, the ID and PWare passed to the APs 15 ₁ to 15 _(n) to which the application window 60is allocated. As described above, record information of input operationsfor the ID input sub-window 511 and PW input sub-window 512 is notregistered in the record information database 17. Accordingly, in thiscase, S308 is not executed. On the other hand, in FIG. 12, when the userselects the NG button 82 displayed in the proposal window 80 by usingthe mouse and the like, the active window switches from the proposalwindow 80 to the application window 60 without the input information ofthe ID input sub-window 811 and the PW input sub-window 812 beingreflected in the ID input sub-window 511 and the PW input sub-window 512of the employee portal window being displayed in the application programwindow 60. In this case, the user directly inputs an ID and a PW to theID input sub-window 511 and the PW input sub-window 512 of the employeeportal window by key input operations.

FIG. 13 shows a case where, in the screen example shown in FIG. 12, anID and PW are directly or indirectly inputted to the ID input sub-window511 and the PW input sub-window 512 of the employee portal window beingdisplayed in the application window 60, and the ID and PW are passed tothe APs 15 ₁ to 15 _(n) to which the application window 60 is allocated.In this case, S309 to S311 of FIG. 10 are executed, and the activewindow is switched from an application window 60 to the proposal window80. At the same time, in the proposal window 80, input information 821with the employee portal window as an input window that is associatedwith the same transition information as transition information beingdisplayed in the record window 70 is displayed in descending order ofstatistics values.

In FIG. 13, when the user checks any of check boxes 83 displayed in theproposal window 80 by using the mouse or the like, and selects the OKbutton 81, input information 821 corresponding to the checked checkboxes 83 is reflected in the selection button 513 being displayed in theapplication window 60, and the active window switches from the proposalwindow 80 to the application window 60. Thereby, the selection of theselection buttons 513 corresponding to the input information 821 isnotified to the APs 15 ₁ to 15 _(n) to which the application window 60is allocated. On the other hand, in FIG. 13, when the user selects theNG button 82 displayed in the proposal window 80 by using the mouse andthe like, the active window switches from the proposal window 80 to theapplication window 60 without the contents of the proposal window 80being reflected in the selection buttons 513 of the employee portalwindow being displayed in the application window 60. In this case, theuser directly selects any of the selection buttons 513 being displayedin the employee portal window directly by using the mouse and the like.

FIG. 14 shows a case where, in the screen example shown in FIG. 13, theselection button 513 corresponding to the item “task menu” of theemployee portal window being displayed in the application window 60 isdirectly or indirectly selected, and the fact is notified to the APs 15₁ to 15 _(n) to which the application window 60 is allocated. In thiscase, S302 and S303 of FIG. 10 are executed, and in the record window70, transition information indicating that the main menu 71 of the firsthierarchy transitions to the employee portal 72 of the second hierarchy,which transitions to the task menu 73 of the third hierarchy, isdisplayed. Since the task menu window has no sub-window as shown in FIG.11B, S305 to S308 of FIG. 10 are not executed. S309 to S311 of FIG. 10are executed, and the active window switches from the application window60 to the proposal window 80. At the same time, in the proposal window80, input information 831 with the task menu window as an input windowthat is associated with the same transition information as transitioninformation being displayed in the record window 70 is displayed indescending order of statistics values.

In FIG. 14, when the user checks any of check boxes 83 displayed in theproposal window 80 by using the mouse or the like, and selects the OKbutton 81, input information 831 corresponding to the checked checkboxes 83 is reflected in the selection buttons 514 being displayed inthe application window 60, and the active window switches from theproposal window 80 to the application window 60. Thereby, the selectionof the selection buttons 514 corresponding to the input information 813is notified to the APs 15 ₁ to 15 _(n) to which the application window60 is allocated. On the other hand, in FIG. 14, when the user selectsthe NG button 82 displayed in the proposal window 80 by using the mouseand the like, the active window switches from the proposal window 80 tothe application window 60 without the contents of the proposal window 80being reflected in the selection buttons 514 of the task menu windowbeing displayed in the application window 60. In this case, the userdirectly selects any of the selection buttons 514 being displayed in thetask menu window directly by using the mouse and the like.

FIG. 15 shows a case where, in the screen example shown in FIG. 14, theselection button 514 corresponding to the item “business trips” of thetask menu window being displayed in the application window 60 isdirectly or indirectly selected, and the fact is notified to the APs 15₁ to 15 _(n) to which the application window 60 is allocated. In thiscase, S302 and S303 of FIG. 10 are executed, and in the record window70, transition information indicating that the main menu 71 of the firsthierarchy transitions to the employee portal 72 of the second hierarchy,which transitions to the task menu 73 of the third hierarchy, whichtransitions to the business trips 74 of the fourth hierarchy isdisplayed. Next, S304 to S306 of FIG. 10 is executed, and the activewindow switches from the application window 60 to the proposal window80. At the same time, in the proposal window 80, for each of an approverspecification sub-window 841 of the business trips window, a datespecification sub-window 842, a business trip purpose sub-window 843, astarting point sub-window 844, an ending point sub-window 845, and asettlement amount sub-window 846, input information with a sub-windowconcerned as an input window that is associated with the same transitioninformation as transition information being displayed in the recordwindow 70 is displayed in descending order of statistics values.

In FIG. 15, in the sub-windows 841 to 846 displayed in the proposalwindow 80, when the user checks desired check boxes 83 and selects theOK button 81 by using the mouse or the like, input informationcorresponding to the checked check boxes 83 is reflected incorresponding sub-windows 531 to 537 of the business trips window beingdisplayed in the application window 60, and the active window switchesfrom the proposal window 80 to the application window 60. Thereby,contents reflected in the sub-windows 531 to 537 are passed to the APs15 ₁ to 15 _(n) to which the application window 60 is allocated. On theother hand, in FIG. 15, when-the user selects the NG button 82 displayedin the proposal window 80 by using the mouse and the like, the activewindow switches from the proposal window 80 to the application window 60without the contents of the proposal window 80 being reflected incorresponding sub-windows 531 to 537 of the business trips window beingdisplayed in the application window 60. In this case, the user directlyinputs information to the sub-windows 531 to 537 belonging to thebusiness trips window by key input operations.

Hereinbefore, one embodiment of the present invention has beendescribed.

In this embodiment, input operations on plural operation target itemsbelonging to same window can be predicted collectively.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment,and may be modified in various ways within the scope of the mainpurports of the present invention. For example, although, in theabove-described, a window or sub-window is eligible as an input window,input operations may be predicted with a tab, tag, spread sheet, and thelike as input windows.

In the above-described, the record information database 17 and thestatistics information database 18 may be provided for each user, andthe record information database 17 and the statistics informationdatabase 18 that are to be used may be changed for each user. Whichrecord information database 17 and statistics information database 18 touse may be managed by a user's employee ID and determined by an IDinputted to the ID input sub-window 511.

1. A device for assisting input operations that assists input operationsfor a multiwindow system, comprising: a collecting section that collectsrecord information containing information about the input entity and anoperation object of an input operation which the multiwindow systemaccepts from a user, and a window to which the operation object belongs;a storing section that stores statistics information of the recordinformation collected by the collecting section along with transitioninformation indicating the transition of active windows before the inputoperation corresponding to the record information; and a proposingsection, when an active window transitions because of an input operationthat the multiwindow system accepts from a user, that searches thestoring section for statistics information that contains informationabout a new active window and is associated with transition informationmatching the transition of active windows before the input operation,classifying the searched statistics information by operation objectscontained in the statistics information, and for each of the operationobjects, outputting at least one of input entities contained instatistics information classified into that operation object as a nextinput operation proposal for the operation object.
 2. The device forassisting input operations according to claim 1, further including anupdating section that updates statistics values of statisticsinformation that is associated with transition information indicatingthe transition of active windows before an input operation correspondingto record information collected by the collecting section, and containsthe same information about the input entity and an operation object ofan input operation and a window to which the operation object belongs,as the record information, wherein the proposing section, for each ofthe operation objects, on the basis of statistics values of statisticsinformation classified into that operation object, outputs at least oneof input entities contained in the statistics information classifiedinto that operation object as a next input operation proposal for theoperation object.
 3. The device for assisting input operations accordingto claim 1, wherein the proposing section displays transitioninformation indicating the transition of active windows before an inputoperation that the multiwindow system accepts from the user, in a firstwindow allocated by the multiwindow system, and further displays, foreach of the operation objects, at least one of input entities containedin statistics information classified into that operation object as anext input operation proposal for the operation object, in a secondwindow allocated by the multiwindow system.
 4. The device for assistinginput operations according to claim 3, wherein the proposing sectionreflects, for each of the operation objects, one of next input operationproposals displayed in the second window in a window switched to anactive state by an input operation that the multiwindow system acceptsfrom the user.
 5. A program readable by a computer in which amultiwindow system is installed, comprising: a hooking program, astatistics information generation program, and a proposal program,wherein the hooking program actuates the computer as a collectingsection that collects record information containing information aboutthe input entity and an operation object of an input operation which themultiwindow system accepts from a user, and a window to which theoperation object belongs; the statistics information generation programactuates the computer as a storing section that stores statisticsinformation of the record information collected by the collectingsection along with transition information indicating the transition ofactive windows before the input operation corresponding to the recordinformation; and the proposal window actuates the computer as aproposing section, when an active window transitions because of an inputoperation that the multiwindow system accepts from a user, that searchesthe storing section for statistics information that contains informationabout a new active window and is associated with transition informationmatching the transition of active windows before the input operation,classifying the searched statistics information by operation objectscontained in the statistics information, and for each of the operationobjects, outputting at least one of input entities contained instatistics information classified into that operation object as a nextinput operation proposal for the operation object.
 6. A method by whicha computer assists input operations for a multiwindow system,comprising: collecting record information containing information aboutthe input entity and an operation object of an input operation which themultiwindow system accepts from a user, and a window to which theoperation object belongs; storing statistics information of thecollected record information along with transition informationindicating the transition of active windows before the input operationcorresponding to the record information in a storage device; and when anactive window transitions because of an input operation that themultiwindow system accepts from a user, searching the storage device forstatistics information that contains information about a new activewindow and is associated with transition information matching thetransition of active windows before the input operation, classifying thesearched statistics information by operation objects contained in thestatistics information, and for each of the operation objects,outputting at least one of input entities contained in statisticsinformation classified into that operation object as a next inputproposal for the operation object.